politics

VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte on Wednesday fired back at witnesses in the House Committee on Justice “mini-trial,” dismissing allegations against her academic integrity and accusing lawmakers of using public funds to fuel political attacks.

In a strongly worded statement released April 15, Duterte addressed claims made during the April 14 proceedings, specifically taking aim at a witness she characterized as a “bar flunker and kidnapping suspect.” 

The witness reportedly claimed the Vice President required assistance to complete her law studies.

“I completed my studies on my own terms,” Duterte said, noting that she prioritized a “well-rounded life” over academic honors. She emphasized that she never sought special treatment from professors at San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) College of Law and was never involved in any student conduct complaints.

Duterte highlighted her 2005 graduation and subsequent first-attempt success in the Bar Exam with a General Weighted Average (GWA) of 80.

“I graduated in May 2005 and took the Bar Exam in September of the same year—something that had not been done before at SSC-R College of Law until my time. The exam that year was relatively difficult. I passed the Bar on my first attempt with a GWA of 80, five points above the minimum,” she said.

 She claimed her timeline—graduating in May and taking the Bar in September—was a first for her law school at the time.

The Vice President shifted the narrative towards the ongoing impeachment efforts, labeling the Committee on Justice proceedings as an “abuse” of power. 

She further alleged that the first impeachment case against her was tainted by bribery and claimed the current move is “no better.”

“Madriaga and his cohorts in the House of Representatives do not come close to my capacity to achieve results with very little effort because they cannot even weave a believable lie, much less follow the rule of law,” she said 

“Mga kababayan, this mini-trial in the Committee on Justice is true to form for some of its members: abuse and corruption appear to be the only things they are capable of. Let us remember that the first impeachment case itself was marred by allegations of bribery involving members of the House of Representatives, and this second impeachment is no better,” she added.

“The failure of the administration to provide relief in this price crisis is not due to a lack of resources, but because public funds are being used for political maneuvering,” Duterte said, linking the House’s focus on her to an attempt to avoid accountability for what she called “the most corrupt budget in our country’s history.”

The House Committee on Justice has yet to issue a formal response to the Vice President’s latest allegations.